If you're a movie fan, your Mondays are probably spent perusing the weekend box office returns. Hollywood's standard for what constitutes a success or failure is interesting, isn't it? Chat with USA TODAY's Scott Bowles about the weekend's receipts and get the skinny on the movie world's financial highs and lows.

Comment from Scott Bowles:
Happy Monday, everyone. There was a lot to chosse from, including a swashbuckler flick, a Christmas film and action in the Matrix. Which did you choose?
Cary, North Carolina:
Hey Scott, Enjoyed a lot "Master & Commander" this past Friday. Wow, what a show! Crowe looks like Oscar material. Amazing that "Elf" beat it out this week though. I still hope to catch Will Ferrell this week!

Scott Bowles:
You should. Elf is one of those unabashedly sweet films that appeals to audiences because it lacks any of the pretentiousness of so many films.
You weren't the only one surprised by Elf's strong second-week showing. Even studio execs thought that Master and Commander, which enjoyed a healthy debut with $25 million, would be atop theaters this week. Turns out Mr. Crowe was no match for a guy in Christmas tights.
Speaking of which, look for Will Ferrell's star to continue to rise. He's has no fewer than 7 films in the works.Locust Grove, OK:
Dear Mr. Bowles:
It looks like the box office for 2003 will be behind 2002. Do you have an estimate of about how far behind it will be at year's end?
Also, I liked The Matrix Revolutions a lot. The action and fights were incredible. My only complaint is that it wasn't the "end" that we were expecting and they left it open for a sequel. Do you know if they plan to make another Matrix film?

Scott Bowles:
If there is a sequel, don't look for the brothers Wachowski or Keanu Reeves to star in it. All swore they wouldn't be back. But you're right: The end certainly leaves the door open.
As for year end ticket sales: Don't count 2003 out yet. It could still surpass 2002 if Lord of the Rings is as big as everyone expects.
Regardless, it's looking like attendance will be down by at least a couple million tickets.dallas, tx:
Hi Scott…………hey, who would’ve thought Elf would outdraw Master in its second week out………apparently word of mouth has been excellent……….do you think Elf could become a 170 to 200 million dollar film?..........also, I want to get my wife Seabiscuit for Christmas………..do you know if it’ll be out in time on DVD?.......Thanks, jl

Scott Bowles:
Seabiscuit may actually find its ways back to screens if the academy is kind to it. Many films released in the spring and summer get a revival of sorts when the Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations are announced.
As for Elf's chances, it will all depend on this weekend. Another film aimed straight at Elf's demographic -- The Cat in the Hat -- opens on Friday. This will be the true test of Elf's chances at becoming a true Christmas classic.El Monte, CA:
Hi Scott - Were you surprised to see "Elf" take over the top fo the box office a week after entering a surprising 2nd? Also, why did "Looney Tunes" do less than expected (5th)? Are kids these days out of touch with Bugs and Daffy or is it more that the live action/animation mixture does not draw people?

Scott Bowles:
Looney Tunes was a disappointment in most analysts' eyes. The film took in less than $10 million, despite some pretty positive reviews that hailed the film for getting back to its subversive roots.
My theory: Live action. While it played well in Space Jam, that was due more to Michael Jordan's presence. Brendan Frasier doesn't command nearly as much of an audience, and true animation fans want to see Bugs and crew unencumbered by human beings.Troy, MI:
Hi Scott,
Julia Roberts has always been know to use her star power quality to deliver box office hits like 'Notting Hill' and ' Erin Brockovich'. THe question is, 'Mona Lisa Smile' is a very different role (almost philosophical) for her and I can't help but wonder if audiences will be receptive to that or reject it. I saw the previews for it and she has never looked better and it has certainly peaked my interest in seeing the film. What are your thoughts?

Scott Bowles:
This will be a real challenge of Ms. Roberts' star power. It's not exactly the storyline of your typical blockbuster: She plays a free-thinking Berkeley graduate in 1953. It has been hailed as the Dead Poets' Society for women's college, which would seem to limit the audience.
But she has a great supporting cast in Julia Stiles and Kirsten Dunst, so this may have darkhorse status.Miami Fl:
The Elf beat the Crowe. Elf looks like it should have legs through till the new year. Has it a chance to be the highest gross comedy this year?

Scott Bowles:
No chance it could beat Finding Nemo, which is a comedy as well as animated film.Smyrna, GA:
Hi Scott. I was wondering how Alien did in it's rerelease. Also, you've said that you think it's one of the scarriest movies of all time. Why not Aliens, the sequel. Thanks!

Scott Bowles:
Aliens was a great film, and raised the bar for sequels. But it was just that: a sequel. Alien broke unchartered territory when it turned a B-movie premise into an A-movie horror story. And it was scary as much with suspense as gore, a rarity today.
As for its re-release, it took in slight more than $1 million, a respectable return on a 24-year-old film.Grand Rapids MI:
Master and Commander gained more than expected this weekend. I thought Crowes character was very weak in the film. Do you think it will make its money back and is russel crowe losing his touch?

Scott Bowles:
You'd be hard pressed to say that Crowe was losing his touch, given A Beautiful Mind's phenomenal success.
And MAC has a pretty good debut, about $3 million more than most estimates. Remember: The movie is 140 minutes long, meaning that theaters can show it fewer times than shorter movies like Elf.
It will likely make its money back, once international and video sales are counted, but there will be plenty to have to recoup: The film was budgeted at $135 million, the most expensive movie of the year.Washington, D.C.:
Yesterday I saw "Shattered Glass" and thought it was a great movie - I was surprised how good it was. Do you have any comments about that movie?

Scott Bowles:
The reviews for the film have been uniformly strong.
One the one hand, I'm glad to see Hayden Christiansen flex his dramatic muscle. On the other, I can't help but be dismayed that a fraudulent journalist is garnering any kind of success from misleading the public. I have chosen, personally, not to see the movie, though several colleagues have seen it and say it's quite good.Brooklyn, NY:
Do you know if Sarah Jessica Parker has any projects in the works after the departure of SATC?

Scott Bowles:
Indeed, Ms. Parker will supply a voice in the cow-animation story Home on the Range, due next year.
But currently, she has no live-action films on the horizon.Cleveland, OH:
I finally saw Whale Rider on DVD last night - perfect! Now my year is basically complete having also caught Bend it Like Beckham and American Splendor. Since these movies (and 13) did well at the Box Office, will we see more indies next year? Does this finally prove that there is a solid audience for many good indies instead of only the infrequent anomoly (Greek Wedding and Blair Witch)?

Scott Bowles:
It was a good year for indies, though I wouldn't hold your breath for Hollywood to bust down the doors of independent filmmakers. They still constitute only a small percentage of total ticket sales when compared to commercial releases.
However, we should see at least a slight increase in the number of independent films, perhaps another dozen or so every year, which would be welcome news to fans of adult fare.St. Albans, WV:
Hello,
how do you think the DVD market has affected movies in the theater? It seems like more people are getting home theaters now and avoiding the overpriced real theater experience. Also, why are some movies making more or just as much money off of DVD sales than the theaters. Finding Nemo sold 17 Million units in a week. thanks

Scott Bowles:
The best explanation I've heard for the DVD phenomenon comes from director John Waters, who told me he has a vast library simply to impress other. Many people don't even watch all their DVDs -- they simply like to have an impressive collection, as they would books.
As for its impact on theater business, the threat is pretty overblown. People still want to have the experience of a film in a movie theater, particularly if the film is grand-scaled like Lord of the Rings or The Last Samurai.
Also, people want to leave their homes on weekends, and moviegoing remains one of the cheapest ways for a family to go out and do something together (though it seems like that's changing with spiraling prices).Minneapolis, MN:
What is Kirsten Dunst working on? I know that Mona Lisa Smile will hit theaters soon...anything else?

Scott Bowles:
Plenty. She'll be in Spider-Man II and Wimbledon, a love story about two tennis stars.washington:
How do you think Cold Mountain will do at the box office?

Scott Bowles:
That's a tough one. Cold Mountain opens on Christmas Day, meaning it will compete with about a half dozen other films. And an epic love story can be a hard sell.
But it's got a few things going for it, not the least of which are director Anthony Minghella (who did The English Patient), Nicole Kidman and Jude Law, and a sizeable fan base of the book.Vermillion, SD:
The Missing, with Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett looks exciting. Has there been any Oscar buzz for this movie or any of its stars, and what projects does Tommy Lee Jones have coming up?

Scott Bowles:
There hasn't been much awards buzz for the film, but that could change once it hits screens on Friday (and nationwide on Nov. 26). It's being promoted more for its suspense than award-caliber performances.
And Mr. Jones next stars in Cheer Up, the story of a Texas Ranger who must protect a team of cheerleaders who witnessed a murder. Seriously.